Security forces conducted a multi-pronged offensive in Bijapur, Kanker regions of Chhattisgarh, neutralising at least 30 armed Naxalites.
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00:00MASSIVE STRIKE ON RED TERROR IN CHHATTIZGARH
00:17AT LEAST 30 MAUAS KILLED, ONE BRAVE FROM THE SECURITY FORCES MAKES THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
00:25We salute the courage of our security forces
00:31UNION HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH SPEAKS OF A RUTHLESS APPROACH TO TACKLE RED TERROR
00:38I can say with confidence that on 31st March 2026, this country will be freed from the Naxal problem
00:47HOME MINISTER RETERATES THE 31ST MARCH 2026 DEADLINE
00:54ENDGAME RED TERROR, THAT'S OUR TOP FOCUS ON INDIA FIRST
01:03I want to take you back to April 13, 2006, when the then Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh
01:12had described left-wing extremism as the biggest threat to India's internal security
01:19and this he had repeatedly reiterated when he was speaking to Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states
01:26when he was talking to heads of police forces and intelligence agencies on threats that India faced
01:31but now, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in an exclusive conversation with India Today
01:36has emphasised, Red Terror will end by 31st March 2026
01:43and today, after the operation, congratulating the security forces, he spoke of that ruthless approach
01:50to deal with those who don't give up arms
01:53I'm Gaurav Sawant, we get to the latest on the operations to end Red Terror
01:57but first as always, let's get started with the headlines on India First
02:02ELON MUSK'S EX SUES THE CENTER FOR USING IT ACT TO BLOCK CONTENT CASE FILED IN THE KARNADAKA HIGH COURT
02:14US DEPORTS ANOTHER INDIAN STUDENT OVER SUPPORT TO HAMAS
02:24POST DOCTORAL STUDENT BADAR KHAN SURI SENT BACK EARLIER RAJNI SHRINIVASAN HAD SELF-DEPORTED
02:37OVER 84 WRITERS ARRESTED IN NAGPUR CASE
02:40POLICE CLAIM NO RELIGIOUS TEXT ON CHADAR THAT WAS BURNED
02:44MORE THAN 140 PROVOCATIVE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS IDENTIFIED
02:55PUNJAB POLICE AND GOVERNMENT CLEAR KISAN PROTEST CAMPS AT PUNJAB HARYANA BORDER
03:01PROTESTS TENSE BULLDOZED NEARLY 700 FARMERS DETAINED
03:05FARMER LEADERS TO STAGE FURTHER PROTESTS
03:14SALARY HIKE BILL TABLED IN KARNADAKA ASSEMBLY
03:17PAY INCREMENT OF NEARLY 100% FOR THE CHIEF MINISTER AND MLAs
03:23PLUS ALLOWANCES FOR MLCs AND WHIPS
03:35SECURITY FORCES IN A JOINT OPERATION NEUTRALIZED AT LEAST 30 ARMED NAXALITES IN CHHATTIZGARH
03:43THIS WAS A MULTI-PRONGED OFFENSIVE
03:46IT WAS LAUNCHED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES IN BIJAPUR REGION AND KAKHIR
03:5026 ARMED TERRORISTS WERE KILLED IN ONE ENCOUNTER, FOUR IN THE SECOND
03:56SOME TEAMS HAVE RETURNED, OTHERS WILL RESUME MOPPING UP OPERATIONS AT DAWN
04:01BUT THERE ARE OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE PIPELINE
04:04AND THESE OPERATIONS VERY SYSTEMATICALLY FOLLOW WHAT UNION HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH HAD SAID
04:11HIS DIRECTIVE WAS A RUTHLESS APPROACH FOR THOSE WHO DON'T GIVE UP ARMS
04:16THOSE TERRORISTS WHO CHOOSE TO SURRENDER WILL BE REHABILITATED
04:20OUR CHHATTIZGARH BUREAU BRINGS YOU OUR TOP STORY TONIGHT
04:27MASSIVE STRIKE ON RED TERROR IN CHHATTIZGARH
04:30THE CENTRAL RESERVE POLICE FORCE ALONG WITH THE CHHATTIZGARH POLICE AND THE DRG
04:35HAVE NEUTRALIZED AT LEAST 30 NAXALITES IN TWO SEPARATE ENCOUNTERS
04:40IN THE FIRST ENCOUNTER AT LEAST 26 MAOISTS WERE KILLED IN THE DENSE FOREST AREA ALONG THE BIJAPUR DANTEWADA BORDER
04:52ONE SECURITY FORCES BRAVE OF THE DRG IN CHHATTIZGARH MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE OF HIS LIFE DURING THE OPERATION
05:00The DRG, STF and COBRA sent us to Bijapur and Dantewada for the operation
05:11Since 7 in the morning, we have been receiving reports of 18 Maoists being killed
05:18We have also received reports of automatic, semi-automatic and other types of killings
05:26A huge cache of arms and ammunition including AK-series assault rifles, SLRs, INSAS 5.56 rifles were seized by the security forces
05:44In a separate encounter in the Kankher area of Bastar, 4 Naxalites were killed, taking the toll to at least 30
05:52On 20th March, 24 Maoists were killed in Bijapur, 4 in Kankher and 30 in total
06:06Arms and ammunition were also seized
06:09Reinforcement teams are searching the area and the Maoists are being interrogated
06:19UNION HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH PLEDGED TO END RED TERROR IN INDIA BY 31ST MARCH 2026
06:27HE VISITED CHHATTIZGARH IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR AND SPENT A NIGHT AT A FORWARD OPERATING BASE IN BASTAR
06:35AMIT SHAH WARNED NAXALITES IN CHHATTIZGARH TO EITHER SURRENDER OR PREPARE FOR A RUTHLESS APPROACH
06:44The government was formed in Chhattizgarh and the BJP government came
06:50We immediately held a meeting and decided on a Naxal-free Chhattizgarh
06:57I am happy that we have achieved a lot in one year
07:03In 2010, about 196 districts were labelled as left-wing extremism impacted
07:11By 2018, the number had come down to 90
07:16The number fell to 70 in 2021
07:20And in 2024, the total number of Naxal-affected districts were down to 38
07:28Bijapur is an important place in the world
07:35And the achievement of 18 Naxalites in Bijapur is a great success for us
07:45I wish the people of Samuche Bastar, that in the future, Samuche Bastar will be free from Red Terror
07:55According to the government, at least 81 Maoists were neutralized in the state of Chhattizgarh in 2025
08:04Including the March 20 operation
08:0765 were killed in the Bastar division
08:11According to the police, 219 Naxalites were neutralized by security forces in 2024
08:19With Ronak Shivare, Sumi Rajappan and Jeetendra Bahadur Singh, Bureau Report, India Today
08:35And Union Home Minister Abhijit Shah took to social media platform X to write
08:39In the direction of Naxal-free India, our soldiers have achieved another great success
08:47It's a big success for security forces in their operations for a Naxal-free India
08:52The Modi government is taking a ruthless approach against Naxalites
08:57And is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those who do not surrender to Naxalites
09:08So he said, they will adopt a ruthless approach against those who either don't surrender or don't join the mainstream
09:17Very very clear
09:18Now, he also spoke exclusively to India Today Magazine's Group Editorial Director, Raj Chingappa
09:24Listen in
09:26Amit Shah ji, when you became Home Minister in 2019, how serious was the Naxal issue?
09:34Look, there were a lot of changes in the Naxal issue from 2014 to 2019
09:40Ever since Modi became Prime Minister, there was a very good campaign against it
09:47After 2019, we adopted a four-step strategy
09:52One, we took two steps to tackle Naxalites
09:58We took a ruthless, tough approach against those who have weapons and don't want to surrender
10:06We also created a Naxal surrender policy against those who want to surrender
10:12Second, we had a very good consultation with the states
10:21I would like to say that apart from Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Kamobase Kerala
10:34Irrespective of party, every state supported us
10:40And from 2014 to 2019, we wiped out the entire Naxal network
10:50Along with the state support, we also provided the highest level of technical support to the police
10:58From NTRO to other agencies
11:04Along with this, we also formed a coalition with the state police
11:09And at many places, we also formed a police team with the support of 4 states
11:16With this, they can't take advantage of the borders of the states
11:21Earlier, we used to have one or two campaigns, but now we have started four campaigns
11:28Because of this, we got a lot of benefit in Naxalization
11:32We did not get full support in Chhattisgarh
11:36But fortunately, the government of the Indian People's Party came there
11:40And in one year, the entire scenario changed from 23rd December to 24th December
11:50I can say with confidence that on 31st March 2026, this country will get rid of the Naxal problem
12:11We are also joined by Sumi Keval Patel
12:16Sumi, give us the latest updates on the operations
12:20I believe mopping up operations are still on
12:23And I am told that there are efforts on to track and nab Madhvi Hidima
12:27One of the top armed Maoist commanders wanted for multiple terror strikes
12:31What more can you tell us?
12:33Yes, absolutely. Usually, the operations now have become such elongated operations
12:43And they go on for hours
12:44This particular operation, the dual twin operation, began early 7 am in the morning
12:49And in fact, it went on in Bijapur and Kanke
12:52These are the two worst affected districts
12:54And now it has been the epicenter of Naxalism
13:00And in fact, which is why these two districts are being majorly focused
13:04Because there has been a specific intelligence that Hidima might be present in these two districts
13:08And in fact, last month as well, during this month, on March 9, when 31 Naxals were also eliminated
13:16Major commanders from the DVCM were also eliminated in that particular operation
13:20And it is crucial how the Naxal-moved Bharat Abhiyan is moving towards
13:24And in fact, which is why Union Home Minister Amit Shah also
13:27He took to social media platforms and lauded the security forces
13:30Because this is a significant step of eliminating 30 Naxals
13:33In 2025 alone, till March 20, till today, 97 Naxals have been eliminated
13:39And that has been a significant step
13:41In 2024, 219 Naxals have been eliminated
13:45And new surveillance technologies are also being employed
13:48AI is also being used for efficient surveillance
13:53And that somewhere down the line is very significant
13:55In fighting and combating Naxalism in the long run, Gaurav
13:58And it is certainly, you know, Naxals are weakening in these areas
14:03And Chhattisgarh is going to be Naxal-mukta
14:05As promised and taken a vow by MHA, the Amit Shah
14:09Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah
14:11Keep tracking that story, I will come back to you for more
14:14Brigadier Ponwar, always wonderful seeing you, sir
14:17In 2006, Dr. Manmohan Singh had described left-wing extremism
14:23As the biggest threat to India's internal security
14:26He reiterated it several times
14:28How are things so different in March 2025 in your appreciation
14:33And you've been in the heart of action in perhaps the worst of times
14:38The worst of times was 2004, 2005, 2006
14:45When tremendous amount of police teams were getting killed
14:49Literally killed in ambushes, in IED blasts and all such things
14:54And that is where the former prime minister said
14:57The biggest internal security problem has come up
15:01More than the Northeast or the J&K
15:04It was Chhattisgarh government's initiative
15:08They decided, let us train our police
15:12They approached the army
15:14A team from CIJW school Varangte was sent to Kankher
15:19Then they said, establish a college
15:21We established a counter-terrorism jungle warfare college
15:25In the heart of Bastar in Kankher
15:27So that it was like a battlefield
15:30All possible situation likely to be faced
15:34In a counter-terrorism or counter-nuclear operations
15:37Where practice, 18 firing ranges, endurance strike
15:40And all what is required to train a policeman
15:43From policing duties to combat warrior
15:46That was done, we started the process
15:49And the first course passed out on 20th August 2005
15:53And within 10 days 3 Naxalites were killed
15:56And everyone complimented the police
15:58They said the process has started
16:00The tide has turned
16:03Permit me to take you through history
16:07Permit me to take you through history
16:09Because even then there were massive operations
16:13By red terrorists
16:15We lost 76 CRPF personnel in one case
16:19We lost the leadership of the state
16:22But I want to rewind to a fact
16:24You know the lay of the land
16:26What is your reading of the declaration
16:28Made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah
16:30That the area will be LWE free by March 2026
16:36The Honorable Home Minister
16:39Has taken an outstanding decision
16:41To come to the conclusion that this is the mission
16:44For the security forces
16:45And it is well within the capabilities
16:48Of the security forces present there
16:50There are almost 70 to 80 battalions
16:52The security forces are establishing
16:54New company operating bases
16:56All across where there were blank areas
16:59Which is also outstanding
17:00Now whatever is left
17:02Those areas must be carried on
17:05Continuous cordon and search operations
17:08In the blank areas
17:09New posts should come up
17:11And it should be like a fisherman's net
17:13In the entire Bastar region
17:15At which will lead to
17:17So how have things changed
17:19You know I want to take you back
17:21To when you first went there
17:23You were in CIJW
17:24So from a counter insurgency
17:26And jungle warfare school in Vairamte
17:28You went to Chhattisgarh
17:29And I remember a story you'd narrated
17:31In Southern Bastar
17:33That the writ of the government
17:34Did not prevail beyond the Indravati river
17:37Beyond that it was all Naxal
17:40Absolutely sir
17:41Beyond that it was all Naxal territory
17:44So from then to now
17:47What has changed and how
17:49What has changed is
17:52What was Naxal territory
17:53Is gradually getting reduced
17:55From all four directions
17:57As per the direction of the Home Minister
17:59And the security forces
18:01Who have now fully trained
18:02To combat the Naxalism
18:04If you are not trained
18:05You get into trouble
18:0676 people were killed on 6th April 2010
18:10For no rhyme or reason
18:11There was an ambush
18:15Which took place in the middle of the night
18:17And they were put to death
18:19And all those things
18:20That's how everyone has now decided
18:23That training and carrying out
18:27Multidirectional operations
18:28First clear the area
18:30Then get into the population
18:31The population
18:34Friendly operations are being done
18:36Civic action progress has been taken
18:38The government is making so many roads
18:40So many schools, hospitals
18:42They are all coming up
18:43The mindset of the population
18:45Is that the Naxalites
18:47Is to come to their houses
18:49Take their boys and girls
18:52And get them to Naxalite movement
18:54Because there were no other jobs
18:55Now jobs are coming up
18:57Many Naxalites have surrendered
18:59They have joined the police forces
19:01Naxalism is on its way out
19:03And the mission
19:0521st March can be achieved
19:07You are saying it can be achieved
19:09Some of the top Naxal commanders
19:11We are told
19:12They have either gone overseas
19:13Or they are lying low
19:15My question to you sir
19:17Each time in Jammu and Kashmir
19:19The army declared victory prematurely
19:21Let's say in Southern Kashmir
19:23And pulled out brigades from there
19:25They created a vacuum
19:27And terrorists went in once again
19:29Is that an apprehension that could happen
19:31In LWE impacted areas
19:33Or the COBs or the company operating bases
19:35They have to stay there for a long time
19:38The leadership, Mupala Lakshman Rao
19:40Who was the leader
19:42Has left the country and gone away to the Philippines
19:44And so is also the Devaraj fellow
19:47Most of the leaders are old, sick
19:50And they are not able to keep up the movement going
19:53The only place they might try and strike
19:55Is using IDs against some soft target
19:57As they have done
19:59But that is an isolated case
20:01Now the troops are moving gradually
20:03Actually creeping forward
20:05And making more and more area peaceful
20:07As the peace returns
20:09War will never come back
20:11Naxalites will never come back
20:13Because in this case
20:15Population is the center of gravity
20:17Janta hi gur tatru ka kendra hai
20:19Aur wo janta samajh gayi hai
20:21Hamare baal bachchon ke liye
20:23For our children, this is not the future
20:25The future lies in education
20:27Good health
20:29And happiness
20:31And glory in the nation
20:33You are absolutely right sir
20:35Because unlike those Pakistani terrorists
20:37In Jammu and Kashmir
20:39Or those radical minds there
20:41The difference here is
20:43Own people and when they see light of the day
20:45When they realize that they are only being used
20:47By the urban Naxals
20:49And their vested interest
20:51Perhaps things will change
20:53These are our own people
20:55These are our own people
20:57The western from Jammu and Kashmir
20:59They only come to die here
21:01Over 24,000 who have crossed the border
21:03The terrorists have been killed
21:05And they have gone away
21:07They were to go
21:09Oh absolutely
21:11Such a pleasure talking to you sir
21:13Whether it is in Vairangte or now
21:15Many thanks for joining me here
21:17On India Today
21:19I now want to take you to ground zero
21:21For a report
21:23How things are changing
21:25How additional company operating bases
21:27Are being established
21:29How the security forces now have access
21:31To satellite imagery
21:33NTRO help
21:35Artificial intelligence
21:37Surveillance, drones, human intelligence
21:39Motorcycles to quickly get into that area
21:41The latest weapons
21:43India Today's group editorial
21:45Singhappa was on ground zero
21:47And he has filed this report
21:49From Chhattisgarh's Sukma and Bastar districts
21:53Security personnel
21:55Man the entire territory
21:57Mostly on two wheelers
21:59Because roads are still being made
22:01They are dangerous
22:03To travel through
22:05There could be landmines
22:07To ambush security
22:09As well as civilians
22:11This is the territory
22:13Of Hidamandvi
22:15Who is considered one of the top leaders
22:17Of the Naxalite movement
22:19He is said to be
22:21In the Politburo itself
22:23One of the few leaders
22:25Who have risen from the ranks
22:27And reached the top of the committee
22:29We are travelling through his country
22:31As you can see on either side of this road
22:33This road is new
22:35But you can see dense jungle
22:37That gave the Marxists cover
22:40As recent as in January this year
22:42There was an encounter
22:44In the Pamed-Basaguda-Usur axis
22:46Of Bijapur district
22:48In the South Bastar division
22:50Killing 12 Naxalites
22:52Including 5 women
22:56How many troops do you have here?
22:58We have a company here
23:00About 60-70 people
23:04They fight very well
23:06This attack started at 7 in the evening
23:09And continued till the next morning
23:11There was no attack after that?
23:13There was no attack after that
23:15But they fired at us
23:17In our camp
23:19Sometimes 2 or 4 BGLs
23:21But there was no major attack
23:23Because they had a good set-back
23:25They had a platoon commander
23:27We hit that platoon commander
23:29So after that
23:31A spanking new bridge is being constructed
23:33On the Chintawag river
23:35Near Pamed for better connectivity
23:38And a new bridge is being built
23:44Dr. Manmohan Singh
23:46The former Prime Minister
23:48When he was in charge
23:50Described Naxalism as India's
23:52Single biggest internal security threat
23:54Today the government says
23:56That it is restricted only to 36 districts
23:58And where we are standing
24:00Is the Bastar region
24:02Which is one of the largest
24:04Tribal regions in the country
24:06This is where the frontline battle
24:08Against Naxalism is happening
24:10In the past 5 years the government
24:12Has made a determined bid
24:14Under Union Home Minister Amit Shah
24:16To eliminate the Naxals over here
24:20Some of the forests here
24:22Are beautiful
24:24It can be a beautiful picnic spot
24:26Scenic spot for vacations
24:28Once left wing extremism
24:30Is over
24:32We will track developments of the story
24:34That we have for you on India First